Thank you all for reviewing my story! It means sooo much to me! And welcome to all my new readers, glad to have ya! Oh, and for any of you who are interested, I will be posting another story soon here on fanfiction. Not sure when, but I have ideas for another story. Haven't gotten around to actually writing ths story yet, but I am planning on doing so tomorrow (Sunday). But do not worry! I will still update this story once every week, sometimes twice, at least when school gets out, hopefully twice. Well, enough of me rambling on... Here is chapter 14! Enjoy and review Please! Ya guys are my motivation, I need you: ) lol

Chapter 14

5 years later

As I looked at myself in the mirror and smoothed my dress, I heard Erik call from the other room.

"Almost ready!" I answered.

I took one more quick glance in the mirror, and walked out to where Erik was standing.

"Finally!" Erik said. "You are going to be late!"

I shook my head. "Shops stay open for a while. There is no possible way that I could be late."

"Oh, alright," Erik gave in. "But do you remember all that you're supposed to get?"

"Yes, Erik," I said, almost getting annoyed with his overproctective-ness."You must calm down. Everything is going to be fine."

"You are not going to…"

"No, I will not get lost, I will not talk to strangers, I will not steal… I remember everything. I shall be just fine."

I walked over to the table and got my handbag, which contained the money and the list.

"I shall be back as soon as I came," I promised Erik. He just gave a slight nod of his head.

I piled myself into the boat and began to row towards the long hallways of the Opera House. There was much that I had to get, and I had to be back in time for dinner; Erik would start to worry if I wasn't.

As I got to the end of lake, I looked over my shoulder one last timeto the place that I had learned to call home. Over the past few years, things between Erik and I had gotten pretty heated, but eventually, he learned to trust me little by little. When I was 13, he actually let me wander around the whole Opera House with him. I had never really seen the whole thing before, and its many catacombs boggled me.

Then when I was 14, he let me walk around the Opera all by myself! I got to look down all the passageways that I wanted to, all the rooms that I wanted to, it was quite an adventure for me. Now, I was 15, and here I was actually getting to leave this place. I had not been above ground since I started living here. But the only reason Erik was letting me go up was because we needed some more food and Erik needed some fabric for—wait? What did he need the fabric for? I did not know, so I just shrugged my shoulders and continued walking down the long tunnels.

At last, I finally got to the main level of the Opera House, which was completely covered in dust and cobwebs. Walking along the covered floor, I began to imagine what this place must've looked like when it was still in use. In my mind, I pictured gold everywhere, somewhat like Erik's home, and the roof painted with murals of angels and such. Closing my eyes, I pictured myself in that magnificent place, dancing at one of its infamous Bal Masque's. Oh how I longed to be dressed up and dancing among the different colored faces in masks.

As I opened my eyes and looked around me, I was saddened at what this Opera had become. Hanging my head, I again began walking towards the door and into the outside world.

When I got through the door, the cold wind hit my face and my neck, and I hugged myself to ward off the coldness. I glanced all around me, looking for some sort of fruit stand. When I found the little shopping alley full of loaded carts, I started hustling towards it.

I approached the alley full of carts and people, my face was flushed and I was nearly shivering. All I wanted to do was get these errands done as quickly as I could, before I froze to death.

I passed each cart, looking for the items that I needed to get. When I saw something that was on my list, I picked it up and then paid for it. When I was eventually done, I grabbed all my bags and headed back to the Opera House. As I was walking I bumped into a man with short hair and a long coat on. In a way, he looked like someone familiar, but then I said pardon me and continued on my way. I glanced behind my shoulder and noticed that the man was still looking after me.

I hurried my pace when I noticed that he was following me. As I kept looking over my shoulder and seeing that man following me, the more I longed to be back with Erik. Finally, I reached the Opera House doors and went inside, closing them behind me. My breath was coming in harsh gasps from my hurried walk back.

I composed my stature and began walking back down to Erik's lair. Suddenly, I heard more footsteps coming from behind me. Turning around, I saw once more the man from the alley. Quickly I turned back around and nearly ran down the passageways to Erik's home. Hearing the mans' footsteps still chasing after me, made me hurry even faster.

At last, I reached the boat and got into it and started rowing, leaving the man standing on the bank. He cast a quick glace at the water, then back at me. Without thinking he jumped into the lake and began swimming after me. Letting out a little scream, I started rowing faster and faster. Ahead, I could see the gateway to my home for the past 10 years. Seeing the gate open up for me, gave me new hope. After I rowed underneath the gate , I practically jumped out of the boat and ran over to Erik, who was sitting at his organ.

"Hurry!" I yelled at him. "Close the gate!"

With a startled look on his face he walked over the lever and the gate began to close.

"Why did I have to close the gate so suddenly? Erik questioned.

"There… is… a man… chasing me," I replied, gasping inbetween my words.

"What?" Erik roared. "Who is this man that chases you?"

I was just about to reply, when I heard splashing coming from the now closed gates. Erik and I turned our heads over to the sound of water, only to see that horrid man who was chasing me. Now, instead of being clean and composed, the man was wet, and panting for breath.

"Emma?" The man called out.

I looked over to Erik, who was casting the most hateful glare at the man. It was a look of disgust, hatred, and a wantingfor murder. After I studied Erik's face, I turned my glance back over to the man in the water.

"Who are you?" I asked. "And how do you know me?"

Hahaha! cliffhanger! I know you guys can guess who it is! Come on, give it a guess in your reviews! I will update on... Tuesday! If 5 of my reviewers can guess who it is! Monday if 7 people can! whoo-hoo! Rewards for you guys! Yay